The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) is urgently seeking solutions and is calling on the Malaysian Government for temporary relief measures to manage a severe shortage of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber latex (NBR) triggered by the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade has severely disrupted global shipping routes and driven Brent crude oil prices above US$100 per barrel. Because NBR is manufactured from petroleum derivatives and is the primary raw material for nitrile gloves, this crisis has directly impacted both its availability and cost. This is now threatening global medical glove supplies and places immense financial strain on local manufacturers.
As Malaysia fulfils approximately 45% of global rubber glove demand, any prolonged disruption threatens the stability of global healthcare systems and risks damaging Malaysia’s reputation as the world’s leading and reliable PPE supplier.
“Malaysia’s rubber glove industry is a strategic, high-value export sector critical to global healthcare systems. MARGMA has been fully supportive of the Government’s directive requiring 100% local manufacturing for glove exports. However, to uphold this standard and prevent trade diversion, our manufacturers need temporary relief to survive this external supply shock and to navigate this unprecedented supply-driven challenge”, said MARGMA President, Mr Oon Kim Hung.
To navigate this crisis, MARGMA is advocating for urgent government support in two critical areas, namely to prioritise Domestic NBR Supply to Secure Local Production and offer grants as temporary relief on Gas ‘Take-or-Pay’ (TOP) Contract
Margma warned as As Malaysia is a major supplier of rubber glove to the world market fulfilling approximately 45% of global market demand, this major NBR disruption will negatively impact supply needs of rubber gloves as well have damaged the good reputation of Malaysia as world leading supplier of this essential PPE to the global healthcare systems.
